IndiGo Crisis: 400 Flights Cancelled as Pilot Shortage Forces Government Intervention

IndiGo, India’s dominant Airlines, is currently navigating one of the most severe operational crises in its history. On December 5, 2025, the carrier cancelled nearly 400 flights, marking the fourth consecutive day of major disruptions. According to reporting by Reuters, the total number of cancellations has now exceeded 1,000 over a four-day period, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded across the country.

The crisis stems from an acute shortage of pilots following the implementation of stricter Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). While these Regulations were designed to combat pilot fatigue, the airline’s inability to adjust its rostering has led to a collapse in its schedule. In response, the Indian government has ordered a high-level inquiry, and the aviation regulator has granted a temporary exemption to help the airline stabilize its operations.

The Regulatory Trigger: FDTL Norms

The root cause of the current meltdown lies in the revised FDTL norms that came into full effect on November 1, 2025. These regulations were introduced to improve Safety standards by ensuring pilots receive adequate rest. Key changes include increasing the mandatory weekly rest period from 36 to 48 hours and limiting night landings to two per week, down from six.

Despite having a two-year window to prepare for these adjustments, IndiGo appears to have failed to align its staffing levels with the new requirements. Industry reports indicate that the airline maintained a “lean manpower strategy,” which pilot unions allege included a hiring freeze. This left the carrier with no buffer when the new rules, combined with winter weather delays and technical glitches, created a cascading effect on crew availability.

Government Intervention and Exemptions

With the airline controlling over 60% of India’s domestic market, the disruption has had a nationwide impact. On December 5, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu intervened, ordering a four-member committee to investigate what has been termed a “planning failure.”

To provide immediate relief to passengers, the DGCA has granted IndiGo a one-time temporary exemption from specific FDTL norms. According to available data, this relief allows the airline to relax restrictions on night duty hours (00:00–05:00) for its A320 fleet. This exemption is valid until February 10, 2026, the date by which IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers has stated full operational stability is expected.

“The airline could not live up to its promise of reliable service.”

, Pieter Elbers, IndiGo CEO (via internal memo)

Additionally, the regulator has permitted 12 Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs) to return to flying duties for one week to augment crew numbers.

Internal Turmoil and Employee Backlash

The operational collapse has triggered significant internal unrest. An open letter, purportedly signed by pilots, cabin crew, and ground staff, has circulated widely, criticizing the airline’s leadership. Employees argue that frontline staff are bearing the brunt of passenger anger for decisions made by upper management.

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) and the Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA) have publicly accused the airline of “corporate greed,” suggesting that the crisis was exacerbated by a refusal to hire sufficient staff despite knowledge of the incoming regulations. Unions have also raised concerns that the crisis may have been allowed to worsen to pressure the government into relaxing the safety norms, a move partially realized by the recent DGCA exemption.

AirPro News Analysis

The IndiGo crisis serves as a stark case study on the fragility of ultra-lean business models in the aviation sector. While cost-cutting strategies often please shareholders, they remove the operational slack necessary to absorb regulatory shocks. By running with minimum staffing levels, IndiGo left itself vulnerable to a predictable regulatory shift.

Furthermore, the “viral letter” from employees highlights a critical breakdown in internal culture. When frontline staff feel abandoned by leadership during a crisis, it signals a deeper rift that temporary regulatory exemptions cannot fix. The focus must now shift from mere logistical recovery to rebuilding trust with both passengers and the workforce.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will IndiGo operations return to normal?
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers has stated that full operational stability is expected by February 10, 2026, though the airline aims to improve schedules sooner using the new exemptions.

What are passengers entitled to?
The airline is offering full refunds and waiving rescheduling charges for travel between December 5 and December 15, 2025.

Why did the cancellations happen?
The primary driver was a shortage of pilots caused by new rest rules (FDTL) implemented on November 1, 2025, combined with winter weather and technical issues.

Sources

• Reuters